Budget Quick Facts

The 2011 St. Johns County budget was $582 million. The 2012 budget is expected to be $545 million, down $188 million since 2007, a 25% reduction.

  • Of the $582 million budget in 2011, only $122 million was from property taxes.
  • County services funded by property taxes include: Sheriff, fire rescue, ambulance, emergency management, growth management, road construction & maintenance, code enforcement, sidewalks & drainage, parks & recreation, libraries, animal control, social services, etc.
  • The other approximately four-fifths of the total budget is in restricted funds such as utilities or solid waste – charged for a certain purpose and limited to be spent only in that particular area.
St. Johns County Budget and Population

The St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners receives only 41% of your property tax bill. For every $100 you paid in 2011:

  • $55.40 went to the School District
  • $41.00 came to the County Commission, who then funded both County departments and the Constitutional Officers (Sheriff's Office, Court Operations, Supervisor of Elections, Property Appraiser, Tax Collector)
  • $3.60 went to independent agencies
2011 Ad Valorem Property Tax Bill

St. Johns County is doing more with less.

  • Property tax revenues are below 2006 levels while population increased 53% in the last census.
  • Use of County services—libraries, parks, recreation, code enforcement, animal control, etc.—is higher than ever.
  • Yet costs have been controlled through staff reductions, furloughs, salary freezes, outsourcing, re-bidding contracts, etc.
Total County Property Tax Collections

Property taxes pay for essential public safety and other quality of life services.

  • Approximately two-thirds of property taxes received by the County are used to fund operations of the sheriff, fire rescue, EMS & public safety, and Courts & other Constitutionals.
  • Any reduction in property taxes would require corresponding cuts in services from the areas listed on the pie chart below.
County Property Tax Expenditures
Budget FAQ’s
  • Budget FAQ’s – In-depth answers to frequently asked questions about the County’s budget.
Community Feedback

Town Hall meetings were held to get community feedback on the County budget. Here is the presentation given by County Administrator Michael Wanchick.

All comments received during the Town Hall Meetings were captured and presented to the Board of County Commissioners: Summary of 2011 Town Hall Feedback

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